What is an Aging Advisory Council?

The Federal Older Americans Act and the New York State Elder Law concerning aging network activities require each Area Agency on Aging (AAA) to establish an Advisory Council to represent the interests of older adults and review and comment on community policies, programs and actions, which affect older adults with the intent of assuring maximum coordination and responsiveness to older adults. The Advisory Council is a key link between the community and the AAA in communicating the needs and concerns of older New Yorkers. 

An Advisory Council's most important obligation is to help the AAA carry out the intent and objectives of the Older Americans Act and State-funded programs for older adults such as the Community Services for the Elderly Program (CSE), the Expanded In-home Services for the Elderly Program (EISEP), Unmet Needs, and Wellness in Nutrition Program (WIN). The Council fulfills this obligation by working with AAA staff, oversight committees (Washington County Health and Human Services Committee), Advisory Council committees and leaders in the community. 

Who are Washington County's Advisory Council Members?

The voting membership of the Council shall consist of the following individuals who are appointed by the Washington County Board of Supervisors:

• 17 individuals, selected from the residents of Washington County, with more than 50% being individuals age 60 and older
• 2 members from organizations or agencies/organizations which provide services to older adults of Washington County 
• 1 liaison from the Department of Public Health, as designated by the Director of Public Health
• 1 liaison from the Department of Social Services, as designated by the Commissioner of Social Services
• 1 liaison from the Washington County Sheriff's Department
• 4 At-Large Members. At Large members need to represent various areas throughout Washington County. They shall not be from one area alone. 

Each voting member shall be appointed by the Washington County Board of Supervisors to a two (2) year term. Individuals interested in being appointed to the Council will be submitted to the Board of Supervisors for consideration by the members of the Board of Supervisors and/or Director of the Office for the Aging. All efforts shall be made to ensure representation by each town in Washington County. Should there be no interested individual from a given town, the Office for the Aging Director may recommend to the Board of Supervisors any interested older adult in Washington County. 

Can anyone attend?

Yes. Meetings of the Office for the Aging Advisory Council are open to any person with an interest in the services provided to older adults in Washington County. Notice of each meeting will be published in a local newspaper, posted on the Office for Aging Website, and/or using Office for the Aging's Social Media that serves Washington County.